Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To cause someone to become hostile or unfriendly; to provoke anger or opposition: The primary meaning refers to deliberately or unintentionally making someone feel antagonistic toward you.
   • To act in opposition to; to counteract or neutralize: In a more technical or formal sense, it can mean to oppose or work against something, such as a force or effect.

Usage and Examples

• Provoking hostility:
  • His constant criticism began to antagonise his colleagues.
  • It is unwise to antagonise the neighbors with loud music late at night.
• Acting in opposition:
  • This drug may antagonise the effects of the other medication. (Here, it means to counteract.)
  • The two politicians consistently antagonise each other's policies.

Advanced Usage

• "to antagonise against": (Less common) To actively oppose or set oneself against someone or something.
  • The group decided to antagonise against the new regulations.
• In a medical/biological context: Refers to a substance that blocks or interferes with the action of another.
  • Naloxone is a drug that can antagonise opioid receptors.

Variants and Related Words

• Antagonism (noun): Active hostility or opposition.
  • There was clear antagonism between the two rival teams.
• Antagonist (noun): A person who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something; an adversary. In biochemistry, a substance that interferes with or inhibits the physiological action of another.
  • The hero finally confronted his antagonist.
  • Beta-blockers are beta-adrenergic antagonists.
• Antagonistic (adjective): Showing or feeling active opposition or hostility.
  • She gave him an antagonistic stare.

Synonyms

• Provoke: To stimulate or incite (someone) to feel or do something, often anger.
• Irritate: To make someone annoyed or angry.
• Alienate: To cause someone to feel isolated or estranged.
• Counteract: To act against (something) so as to reduce its force or neutralize it.

Antonyms

• Pacify: To quell the anger or agitation of.
• Appease: To placate or pacify (someone) by acceding to their demands.
• Conciliate: To stop (someone) from being angry or discontented; to reconcile.

Phrasal Verbs / Common Constructions

• Antagonise someone into doing something: To provoke someone so that they are compelled to take a specific (often negative) action.
  • He was antagonised into filing a formal complaint.
• Antagonise towards: (Less standard) To foster hostility in someone directed at a target.
  • The speech antagonised the crowd towards the government.

Idioms and Fixed Phrases

• "Don't antagonise the bear": A proverbial saying advising against provoking a powerful or dangerous entity.
  • I know you're angry, but don't antagonise the boss—you need this job.

Verb

1. provoke the hostility of
   • Don't antagonize your boss
2. act in opposition to